The Jessie Matthews Revue: Volume 5 on DVD [read more]
Jumping with Jessie
THROUGHOUT the 1930s Jessie Matthews was Britain’s best-loved musical film star, her dynamism and gamine charm captivating audiences on both sides of the Atlantic in a string of box-office hits. The Jessie Matthews Revue: Volume 5 (PG) includes Gangway and comedy Climbing High, and is out on DVD on 18 January 2016, RRP £12.99, courtesy of Network’s ‘The British Film’ collection.
Gangway (1937)
On the trail of 'Sparkle', an international jewel thief, Inspector Bob Deering meets Patricia, a young reporter obtaining journalistic titbits about a film star by pretending to be her maid. When she accepts Bob's invitation for an evening out, she triggers a chain of events that make everyone assume that she is the elusive felon.
Climbing High (1938)
Heading a stellar cast, Jessie Matthews plays Diana, a young woman who works at a West End modelling agency. There she meets handsome playboy Nicky, who uses a pseudonym to obtain modelling work simply to be near to her. Diana's aristocratic rival is Lady Constance, who has her sights set on Nicky's money – and has no qualms in using every means at her disposal to get it!
Showcasing some the era’s finest cinema talent – including director and comedy star (and Matthews’ husband) Sonnie Hale (Evergreen, The Phantom Strikes) and legendary art director Alfred Junge (The Man Who Knew Too Much, Goodbye, Mr Chips) – the two films on this volume are presented as transfers from the original film elements, in their as-exhibited theatrical aspect ratios. There are clips at the link above.
